Isuzu MU-X 1.9L review 2024

You’ve gotta feel a bit sorry for the 2024 Isuzu MU-X wagon.

Gaze across at its more popular D-Max ute sibling and you see it’s being showered in upgrades. But the MU-X? There’s sweet bugger all, at least for right now…except for the addition of an entirely new engine option.

Added choice is great, but the 110kW/350Nm 1.9L turbo-diesel four-cylinder does feel bit like the Christmas present we didn’t ask for. The natively detuned 140kW/450Nm 3.0L, of the same aspiration and cylinder count, already touts some of the more modest outputs in its class.

Did we really need a less-powerful option, Isuzu?

Such an assessment would be unfair and ignores the many benefits of the 1.9L, namely advertised fuel economy improvements and also a $2000 price saving over variants using the larger donk. Admittedly, though, this does come off the back of a price rise that saw much of the range increase by between $500 and $2000.

Many might remember how attainable the previous-generation MU-X was prior to the arrival of the current generation, which it must be said is much safer, more capable, and a better all-round vehicle, but the sting of abandonment is still felt by some buyers, I’m sure.

With rampant inflation abound, the addition of a more affordable engine option is a welcome move from Isuzu, and depending on your requirement it could be a better choice than the mainstay 3.0L turbo-diesel.

What are the MU-X 1.9L’s features and options for the price?

There are no equipment changes between variants using the two different engine types, save for the lack of a ‘3.0TD’ badge on the tailgate of the MU-X.

Pricing starts from $47,400 for the LS-M in 1.9L 4×2 guise, or $53,400 for the 4×4. The flagship LS-T 3.0L 4×4 is offered with a keen $67,990 national driveaway price.

Standard equipment on the base LS-M includes the following: